Common health problems with Jack Russells. Small in stature, Jack Russells are a type of terrier that are a favorite among families and are ranked as the eleventh most popular dog. Jack Russells are a common choice for first-time dog owners due to their intelligence and sociability.
Your Jack Russell Terrier is probably not the type to relax on its own and would much rather do whatever you are doing. They may deal with a variety of general health problems, such as systemic diseases, dental problems, vision impairments, organ malfunctions, musculoskeletal pain, and neurological complications.
Jack Russell Terrier owners might also be familiar with their dogs’ cute “skipping action,” in which the dogs lift one leg off the ground while moving. This may occur as a response to a preexisting medical condition.
It’s important to know how to spot and treat common health problems with Jack Russells, so let’s dive deeper into some of the most common ones.
Obesity in Jack Russell Terriers
It’s especially easy for Jack Russells to gain weight because they’re such small dogs. Their mobility and quality of life may be negatively affected as a result of this.
An overweight dog is more likely to experience health problems than a similarly sized, healthy dog. Overfeeding is a major contributor to canine obesity, and the trend toward treating dogs as “one of the-family” by their owners has only exacerbated the problem.
Keep your dog from chowing down on your treats. If they insist on sitting at your table while you eat, you can either ignore them or offer them something natural and healthy to eat. Obesity has become one of the top Jack Russell Terrier health issues but can be controlled with good, healthy nutritional dog food.
Hemolytic Anemia and Thrombocytopenia
Issues with the blood can arise in Jack Russell Terriers if the dog’s immune system fails to properly identify its own platelets or red blood cells. Because of this, it suddenly starts attacking them.
If the dog’s red blood cells are destroyed, it will feel drained of strength and energy. Their gums will also turn a sickly yellow or white, and they will become anemic. If they are injured or bruised while their platelet count is low, they may bleed excessively.
Primary Lens Luxation (PLL)
This obscure disease is highly prevalent in terriers and can be passed down from generation to generation. The breakdown of these fibers results in primary lens luxation, which can lead to a variety of eye problems. The eye may need surgery to correct this.
Skin Cancer in Jack Russell Terriers
Jack Russell Terriers are more likely to develop skin cancer, and mast cell tumors in particular, than any other breed of dog. They share their symptoms with a wide variety of skin conditions and benign lumps, making them easy to miss.
It is important to have any lumps checked out right away so that, if cancerous, they can be removed surgically. The best treatment for this is surgery, but it must be detected early for a positive outcome.
Dental Disease in Jack Russell Terriers
Do not tolerate bad breath from your Jack Russell Terrier. Tartar buildup on teeth is the first symptom of dental disease, which ultimately leads to infected gum tissue and the tooth’s underlying root, causing excruciating pain.
Loss of teeth is just the beginning of a dog’s oral health problems, which can extend to organs like the liver, heart, and kidneys. Ideally, you should brush your dog’s teeth at least three times a week. A daily teeth cleaning for your dog is possible with some time and practice.
Mouth Abnormalities
There are a number of common health problems with Jack Russells that can affect their ability to eat and bite normally, including gum disease. Alignment issues, overbites, under bites, and the absence of teeth altogether (oligodontia) all fall under this category.
It takes a little time to diagnose these issues and many of them respond well to orthodontic treatment.
Patella Dislocation
A common cause of kneecap dislocation in Jack Russells is the dog’s short, weak legs. When this happens, the dog may shift its weight to avoid further injury. The majority of the time, they can knock it back into place on their own, but this can still be a little uncomfortable.
Like many of the Jack Russell terrier health issues we’ve listed, this can be avoided by keeping an eye on their weight and preventing it from getting too high.
Legg-Calve-Perthes in Jack Russell Terriers
The Jack Russell puppy may suffer from this painful hip condition. Despite extensive research, experts still do not have a firm grasp on this condition.
An inadequate blood supply to the top of the leg, which is thought to be a hereditary predisposition, causes the bone there to weaken and break more easily. Surgeries are frequently required to correct this condition.
Deafness in Jack Russell Terriers
There is genetic evidence that deafness is inherited in some lines of Jack Russells. If you have to repeatedly yell your dog’s name before it pays attention, this could be the problem.
Some hearing issues can be easily diagnosed with a simple hearing test, while others may call for a brain scan for confirmation. Examine the dog’s ears for any obvious problems and have the vet make sure there is no ear infection that could interfere with the test.
Mental Health
Finally, it is essential to consider Jack Russells mental health alongside its physical health when assessing its state of health. Jack Russells are traditionally used in hunting because of their intelligence and skill.
It is crucial to their mental health that they are kept mentally and physically active. It is essential to provide adequate exercise for these small but lively dogs. Mental stimulation can be achieved through regular walks and games like fetch, hide and seek, or simply having toys available.
Common health problems with Jack Russells
Although this list of common health problems with Jack Russells appears to be a grim view of them, it is not. They are wonderful small dogs that bring great joy to families.
Despite their prevalence in Jack Russells, the above health problems are often manageable and, in some cases, even preventable with the help of a veterinarian and some forward thinking.
To speed up the recovery process and get your furry friend back on its feet after an injury caused by these conditions or linked to joint problems, you may want to investigate rehabilitation therapy.
There has never been a better time to enjoy life with a healthy and fit Jack Russell. There are so many innovative products like calming therapy dog collars and a wide variety of nutritious foods and supplements designed to support your dog over the long haul.
It is also good to note that there are many human foods that should never be fed to your dog. See my post on What Human Food is Bad for Dogs. On the other hand, there are also some healthy human foods for dogs. See my post on What Human Food Can Puppies Eat for 10 great people foods that are good for dogs of all ages.
Check out my article on the health issues with French Bulldogs. It is also important to know that you should never give cat food to a dog. Also check out my article on Are Grain Free Diets Bad for Dogs?
As always, thank you for visiting Small Dog Living and leave us a comment if you can.
0 Comments